Scoring sweet swag, reviewing awesome products and living the rad mom life.

Posts tagged ‘kid friendly’

If you are planning your next trip to Disney World, you might be thinking…”Where will I RUN?” Hotel treadmills are convenient, but they can also get boring and stuffy. That’s where Disney’s Fort Wilderness comes in! At Fort Wilderness, you have the option of hooking up your RV, renting a cabin, OR you could totally rough it and pitch your own tent. – Bless your soul if you go this route cause it’s insanely humid in Florida. 🙂 So what’s the best part of choosing Fort Wilderness for your stay at Disney? The option to connect with nature and run through some beautiful scenery!

Fort Wilderness is actually a lot bigger than people may think. You will need to catch the shuttle bus or rent a golf cart to get around the campgrounds, which means there is plenty of room to run! So grab yourself a map, tighten your laces, and straighten your crown because you are about to head out on an adventure!

Here are a few things you may experience during your Fort Wilderness run!

Paved and lush running paths – I loved that the paths through Fort Wilderness were paved and flat so I didn’t have to worry about injuring myself before a full day of walking around the parks. And for all you Mother Runners and Father Runners: paved paths = stroller friendly. 😉 I also loved being surrounded by beautiful green and lush scenery!

Lakes and ponds – If you enjoy running around bodies of water, then you will like running here! I loved watching the sun reflect off the water each morning during my run! You could even rent some boats or kayaks if you wanted to head out for some water activities.

Coffee Break – Okay, maybe you aren’t a coffee lover like me…but one of my favorite things about staying here was finishing a run and then drinking some coffee on the porch. And if you aren’t in the mood to make coffee yourself, you could swing by the corner store during your run and grab some coffee to go. Bonus: The magic band is a runner’s best friend because it works as a key, credit card, and a photo pass! Also, here’s a Disney tip: If you’re looking for a Starbucks in any of the four parks, they are hidden within bakeries/shops and will not show up on the app so look closely for the signs!

Movie and S’mores – If you head out for an evening run, you can catch some campfire singing, s’mores, and a movie!

Cute Critters – Keep your eyes open because you may meet some adorable creatures along your run! Sadly, they won’t break out in song like in all of your fave Disney movies, though. 😦

Wine and Shine – Once you’re finished running and after you’ve finished walking around the parks, you’ll want to head back to your cabin and get cleaned up. Then pour yourself a glass of Fairytale champagne and head back out to enjoy the fireworks! Magic Kingdom is just a short boat ride away!

Fireworks – Another perk of staying at Fort Wilderness is that you don’t have to stand in large crowds to watch the fireworks if you don’t want to. You can view the fireworks from the lake/boating area or even on the ferry boat itself!

Overall, I really enjoyed my stay at Fort Wilderness! It’s a fantastic option for big families and those who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of other Disney World Resorts. And even though it was hot, humid, and rainy…I loved my quiet morning nature run to clear my head before shuffling small children through the Happiest Place on Earth.

You might even say it was Magical. 😉

Have you ever run through Fort Wilderness? What was your favorite part? I’d love to hear because I only saw one other person out there running! Maybe people just don’t know about this amazing running spot!

If you’re looking for a fun event to keep the kiddos busy, then check out the Home Depot Kids Workshop! It’s offered the first Saturday of every month and it’s fun for the whole family! Here are some things you should know before you go!

It’s FREE! – Yep, Home Depot Kids Workshops are free! You will want to register at homedepotkidsworkshop.com so that the store can prepare for all of the kids. But one important thing to note: Registering does not guarantee materials. It’s possible your local store could run out of the materials for the advertised monthly project, but I’ve heard that they may offer a previous month’s project so that your kids don’t leave empty-handed.

Arrive Early! – The event is held between 9am-12pm or until they run out of supplies. Also, some stores hold the event indoors while others set it up outside. My local store held the event outdoors and fortunately we never had any issues with running out of the monthly project regardless of our arrival time. I have, however, seen them run out of paintbrushes and paint but that was closer to the noon timeframe. So I do recommend arriving early to get a feel for your store and to guarantee that your kids get all of the materials. Also, dress appropriately in case your store holds the workshop outside as well.

Be Patient! – Especially with the younger kids! The workshop is geared for kids around the 5-12 age range, but I’ve seen kids and adults of all ages enjoying the project. The instructions include step-by-step details with illustrations and the projects are pretty basic so don’t think you have to build an entire house or something. But the nails can be kind of small and you probably don’t want your two or three-year-old swinging around a hammer, so you will have to do some work if you plan to bring the younger kids. My 3 (almost 4) year old had fun helping with the building process and then I gave her full creative control with the paint and stickers. Also, you will be sharing tools and possibly paint/paintbrushes with others at your table so have some patience with the other kids, too!

There’s a Facebook Group! – I mean, there’s a group for everything…right?! 😉 Someone (not Home Depot) created a Facebook group to connect people around the country and so that everyone can share their workshop experiences and finished projects. And if you are searching for a particular project from a previous month, you can request that someone send you something that you missed. They usually request that you send money for shipping, but nobody should ever ask you to send money for the project itself. If you see anyone selling these projects or pins, please report them to the admin. These projects are free and nobody should be making a profit from it. And if you’d like to know what exactly you will be creating each month, you can also find the annual calendar along with the bonus holiday events posted within the group. You can find the group here.

There’s SWAG! – Every kid receives an apron with their name on it; a unique pin that illustrates the project; and a certificate of completion! If you forget your apron the next month, don’t worry, they’ll give you another…but it’s fun to see how many pins you can collect on your apron! I’ve seen some aprons completely covered!

Have Fun! – Most importantly, just have fun…because learning is fun! Even if you arrive late and they run out of some supplies, just make the best of it! You’ll enjoy watching your little builders focus on their projects and really showing their creativity! Join in the fun and get messy too! (Most stores will have wipes on the table.) The employees really enjoy the event too so be sure to thank them for their kindness and positivity! You’ll create lasting memories with your kids and they’ll love showing off their completed projects to their family and friends!

There are lots of natural product lines on the market now, so it can be a little overwhelming to choose the one that fits your preferences. I’ve tried a few different brands over the last couple of years, but I recently had the chance to try out a few items from the Logic Products line!

As you can see they offer a broad line of products that benefit the home, kids, and even pets! To give you an idea as to what sets this line apart from other brands, here are a few facts about their products (via logicproducts.com):

Plant and Mineral Derived Formulas

Vegan

Cruelty Free

Pthlalate Free

PEG Free

TEA Free

No Synthetic Dyes

No Noxious Fumes

No Methylisothiazolinone

No Benzisothiazolinone

No Petrochemicals

No Synthetic fragrances

No Phosphates

Chlorine Free

Bleach Free

Recyclable Packaging

Made In U.S.A.

And more!

Wow, reading this list makes we want to check the labels on some of my other leading brand household products under the sink. Overall, it seems that the goal of Logic Products is too keep the ingredients in their products simple and pure. I slowly began switching to natural cleaning products when I started having kids. I worried about them inhaling/absorbing harsh chemicals and of course I didn’t want them ingesting any dangerous cleaning solutions. But depending on where you live, natural products can be in limited supply and pricing can be a little higher compared to average products.

I found that Logic Products are pretty comparable to other natural brands. They usually have a good selection of sale products and they offer free shipping for orders over $49! They also offer a quality guarantee…but this part was a little confusing – You can return “new, unopened items sold and fulfilled by Logic Product Group within 15 days of delivery for a full refund.” But, “new and unopened” would mean that you didn’t get to try out the product so how would you know if you liked it or not? Maybe this applies if you ordered more than product, tried one and wanted to return the rest? Hmmm…

Totlogic Sunscreen ($16.95): This didn’t really stand out to me compared to other natural sunscreens.

Licelogic Prevention Spray ($16.95): I liked the smell and the concept of this product (especially with little kids), I just had a hard time remembering to take the extra step and actually applying it to my kids’ hair.

Homelogic Dish Soap ($7.95): Loved the scent and it left my hands feeling soft while getting the job done on the dishes.

And my favorite item from this set?!

Homelogic Hand Soap ($5.95): I really enjoyed the light and refreshing scent! And the kids loved that it was a foam so they thought it was fun to wash their hands!

I would really like to try more of their products from the Homelogic line, like the Odor Eliminating Spray and the All Purpose Cleaner. I also would be interested in the shampoo, conditioner, and bubble bath from the Totlogic line.

You can purchase any of their products directly from the website. You can find the Barklogic products either online or in PetCo stores nationwide. And you can also Contact Logic Products directly to find the nearest store where their products are sold!

What do you think? Have you made the switch to natural products yet?!

***Note: I was given free products from Logic Products in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and no other compensation was provided.

If you have tiny humans that LOVE Paw Patrol then you’ll want to load them up and head to the nearest Roll Patrol Road Tour! This is different than the PAW Patrol Live! Tour and bonus: It’s free! So if it’s not in your budget to attend the PAW Patrol Live! Tour then I definitely recommend checking out the Road Tour. Here’s a little preview of what awaits you and your little PAW Patrollers at the Roll Patrol Road Tour!

If you want to guarantee an entry into Adventure Bay and save yourself a little time, then preregister your family online. If not, you may have to wait in a longer line and register on a tablet at the actual event.

You will then be given a wristband and the fun will be begin!

The kids will love spending oodles of time in this life size and interactive PAW Patroller! They can spend time in the command center, look out upon Adventure Bay, pose for photo ops, take a spin on the slide, and much more!

They can also pick their favorite PAW Patrol car and pedal along a kid-sized track!

Then head over to the play table area to try out the newest PAW Patrol toys!

And have a blast at the kinetic sand table! I really loved this stuff!

And keep a lookout for an opportunity to meet your fave PAW Patrol characters!

Every location is a bit different, but at our event: Chase was on the case, Skye took to the sky, and Marshall was all fired up! You will also receive a free printed photo at your meet and greet to commemorate your day!

So was there any SWAG?!

Well the event was free so it’s kind of swag in itself. BUT we did get photos and some sweet headwear!

A couple of things to know:

Plenty of staff were on hand to keep things safe and organized.

The event is outside so prep for the elements. It was really hot the day we attended.

The event is free – but preregister to guarantee entry! Also, many of the Roll Patrol events are held within another event. For example, this event was an attraction within the county fair. So fair admission prices were still in place.

It can get crowded so be prepared!

There’s a lot of interaction on the tour, but nothing to actually purchase (i.e. toys).

Every location could be a little different, so what you see here may be slightly different than what would be at your event. Check the event page for more details!

In honor of MomCo turning two this month, I thought I would share what MomCo is all about and why I love it so much! MomCo started as an app for moms to find and host playdates with other moms in their local area. What a great concept! As a new mom it can be hard to make mom friends so I was thrilled to discover MomCo and everything it represented! Since its conception, MomCo has grown into a supportive community for moms to share ideas, parenting questions, as well as playdate themes! So allow me to share a few detailed reasons as to why I love being a part of the MomCo community!

Social Interaction! – Being in the MomCo community and attending playdates is a great opportunity to not only socialize the kiddos, but to also have real conversations with other moms. Small kids are adorable, but they can also act like tiny anchors – meaning the struggle is real when it comes to figuring out what to do with them on some days. This is especially true if you are a brand new mom and are transitioning from working/having free-time to mom life. You just don’t know what to do with yourself sometimes! But with MomCo, you can easily find and attend a playdate in your area and you’re all set! Now your kids are either running out their energy or doing a craft and you can mingle (vent) with some other moms! You may even discover a new venue or park in your local community!

Maybe you don’t see any MomCo playdates posted in your area…that’s okay! Host your own! Gather up your mom friends and start hosting monthly play dates at the park, library, museum, froyo shop, wherever you think would be a good spot for the kiddos to play! Maybe you’re new to the area and don’t have a mom tribe…that’s okay too! Pick a venue and date and post the playdate on Facebook. Then while you’re out and about at the park, grocery store, coffee shop, nail salon, wherever…invite the moms you meet! They are most likely desperate for adult interaction just as much as you are! Once you’ve gotten a few mom friends together, apply to be a member of the Mom Mingle Rewards Club. Which brings me to my next point!

Trying out Mom Must-Haves (for free) – There are two ways to score free products. The first one is to become a member of the Mom Mingle Rewards Club and host monthly events. The second way is attend one of these events hosted by a Rewards Club member. Either way…it’s FREE! Hostesses are provided with swag bags, crafts, snacks, and giveaways for their events. And I’m not talking dollar store type stuff…these are good quality, Pinterest-worthy products. You may discover a new product that you didn’t know you needed or maybe a healthy snack that your kids absolutely love. Either way, it’s a great way to discover new brands and add to your arsenal of mom and kid products!

Okay, maybe playdates aren’t your thing or perhaps you are a working mom and aren’t available for daytime events. Have no fear, because MomCo is also a great place to find or host Moms’ Night Out events! Find a local spot where your mom friends can gather one evening (without the kids) and promote the event in your community. I assure you, there are plenty of moms in your community who would love a night out! So post the event and invite the moms in your spin class or that distraught mom in the aisle at Target. You may just make their day!

So what else do I love about MomCo?! The SWAG of course! – Not only can you score various swag from other brands at an event. You can score MomCo swag and rep it around your community! And the best part? It’s practical and totally usable for everyday outings!

Also, let me add: MomCo is NOT a pyramid scheme, there are no membership dues or annual fees. It’s FREE! It’s literally just a place for moms to connect and meet for events. The other stuff is just a bonus! And if you’re already hosting or attending events like these in your community, then why not score some free products along the way?!

Earlier this month I participated in the 8th annual Chula Vista Community 5k. The first thing that drew me to this run was that it’s held at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. How cool is that?! You get to run around a venue where actual Olympic athletes have spent several hours training for the grandest athletic event in the world! Now, you can come at certain times during the week for a free audio-guided tour; however, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to actually run around the training grounds and pretend to be an Olympian myself! The second thing that attracted me to this event was that it was only $10! I like cheap – so a 10 buck run is right up my alley. I did have to pay a two dollar online fee (those pesky fees), but the price included a custom bib with my name printed on it and a t-shirt. Also, children 3 and under were free although they don’t receive a bib or t-shirt.

You could choose to pick-up your packet either the day before or the morning of – I had someone grab mine the day before and from what I heard it went pretty smoothly. The parking situation was interesting. I arrived to the venue about 10 minutes early (it was a fun run, not a timed race – so I wasn’t worried about being exactly on time.) But much to my dismay, I was met with a long line of cars waiting to get in and find parking. There were a couple of parking attendees, but they didn’t seem really prepared for the amount of cars that morning. By the time I got close to the parking lot, I was informed that it was full and I needed to turn around and drive back to a church I had passed earlier and park in a dirt lot behind the church parking lot. This was a little frustrating because it did make me a later than I wanted to be for the start of the race. I wish that there had been better communication between the parking lot attendants so that I didn’t waste time waiting in line and driving around in a circle. But, eh whatever, 10 dollar race – you live and learn.

It was kind of a bummer that I started the run 10 minutes late, but I caught up pretty quick to everyone and it was a cool and misty morning (thanks, marine layer). It was really amazing just running through all of the different event areas and imagining all of the athletes that have been there displaying their talents. There were plenty of volunteers at the start and end of the run and a couple of water stations. Here are some course pics!

My favorite part of the race was getting to run on an actual Olympic training track! It was not only inspiring, but insanely soft and springy – it felt like running on a cloud!

There was also a bounce house about 3/4 of the way into the course which was a nice touch for the kids! The finish line included water and fruit and there was an optional $5 pancake breakfast. Afterwards, we headed up to visit the sponsor tents and see the torch! A few athletes were signing posters and Sea World had a big table with activities where they brought a few small animals for everyone to meet.

The DJ looked lonely as usual until the raffle started and then he was surrounded. I didn’t enter the raffle this time, but I did hear him announce a few restaurant gift cards.

Besides visiting the vendors and checking out the torch, there was also a gift shop and BMX bike museum to checkout and a podium to pose on.

P.S. I don’t know those people ^^^ So what was the SWAG?!

I already mentioned the t-shirt, although I will add that it’s a tech tee, so bonus!

A signed poster by a few athletes (although I had no idea who they were)

The Hubert’s strawberry lemonade was pretty good, I would probably drink it again

A custom bib as previously mentioned

Bottle of water

Tote bag

Magnetic clip

Flash light keychain

Free trial coupons from 24-Hour Fitness

Toothbrushes

Lots of toothpaste!

I will also say that I didn’t get a chance to hit up every vendor as I brought my squirmy baby-toddler with me this time and he doesn’t have a lot patience for swag shenanigans. So the haul could have been greater, but I really was just taking in the scenery and enjoying roaming around the facility. Also, race photos were available for purchase a few days after the event.

I really enjoyed this event and since it is super family-friendly I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun run. I will warn you that dogs were warmly welcomed to this event, which is great because I love dogs; however, I had to swerve and dodge a lot of them so you really have to pay attention to your path. I also liked that the proceeds went to help afterschool health programs in the area. My only recommendations:

Better preparation/communication for the whole parking situation.

Offer medals/awards so we could at least pretend to be winners of the day! I would have paid a little extra in registration fees so that I could add an “Olympic medal” to my collection. 😉

Overall, it’s a great event especially for the price – so check it out! Go Team USA!!